Eddie Thompson Remains Club Chairman

There has been speculation for the last few months that Dundee United Chairman Eddie Thompson is set to step-down at the end of the season, to allow his son to take his place on the board.

However, Dundee United released a statement on the club’s official site this morning, which denied that the Chairman would be stepping down because of concerns over his health.

Eddie Thompson was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2003, but over the past few years has actually put Dundee United’s interests ahead of his own health.

“The club maintains an open communications policy with its supporters and has previously ensured that they were made aware of the Chairman’s prostate cancer diagnosis and the fact that this would not interfere with this duties as Chairman of Dundee United,” said the official club statement.

“However, in view of recent speculation it is considered important again to provide an update and to reassure our supporters that the Chairman continues to play the same active role in running the Club.”

“Over the last three years, Mr Thompson has received various forms of hormone and radioactive treatment which disappointingly, has not prevented the cancer from spreading. At the end of 2006, the P.S.A. (measurement of cancer in the blood) rose once again indicating the cancer had become more aggressive.”

“Scans in December confirmed this and showed that the cancer had now moved further into the bone. He was immediately put on radiotherapy on a daily basis at Ninewells Hospital. Following the completion of the radiotherapy, he has gone onto two further sessions of hormone treatment, in an attempt to reduce the cancer movement.”

“He is currently undergoing further tests/scans to check that the treatment is keeping the cancer in control. It has been Mr Thompson’s frequent visits to Ninewells Hospital which has brought about the recent speculation.”

“Through all this time, the Chairman has not allowed his illness, or treatment, to interfere with his duties at Tannadice. He wishes it to be known that he will continue to undertake these duties for some considerable time to come.”

“He continues to provide support to the management team and has recently made funds available for the recruitment of players in the transfer window.”

Since becoming the club Chairman, Dundee United supporter Eddie Thompson is reported to have invested several million pounds of his own money into the club.